Implementing the MR-OPV SIA in Bayambang

Implementing the MR-OPV SIA in Bayambang: CONQUERING THE BATTLEFIELD AS ONE ARMY!

Our secret weapon to our victory in conquering the battlefield of contrasting ideas in our aim of delivering optimal healthcare services and overcoming the challenges in the campaign for the Measles-Rubella-Oral Polio Vaccine Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR-OPV SIA) amidst the prevailing circumstances of COVID-19 pandemic is no secret at all: it is all about TEAMWORK – both within the healthcare unit of the LGU and even beyond! Yes, it boils down to this simple word with this simple mathematical equation wherein our common denominator is solidarity which divides the task and multiplies our success! So allow us to share some our best practices with you.

I. PRE-IMPLEMENTATION ACTIVITIES

A maxim attributed to Stephen King -- “There is no harm in hoping for the best as long as you are prepared for the worst” -- is synonymous to our medical dictum, “An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.”  In order to attain the objective of MR-OPV SIA that no child gets left unvaccinated, microplanning is ensured. With this approach, we were able to identify hard-to-reach, high-risk, and special populations and devised ways on how to reach them or convince them to come to our vaccination posts. Moreover, recognizing which constituents seldom get their child vaccinated or have not yet completed vaccination has ensured that every child would be immunized, even if on the last minute or last day of the MR-OPV SIA campaign.

In addition to the posters provided by DOH which were put up on strategic (i.e., high visual traffic) places of our respective LGU departments, Barangay Health Stations/Centers, information dissemination of the said campaign was also initiated by posting details on social media via our LGU Balon Bayambang FB page as well by the members of our healthcare team in their personal FB accounts to showcase their full support. The educational videos from DOH that tugged at emotions were especially effective that we decided to make a video wherein one local couple that Bayambangueños would recognize appeared, and appealed, for parents to have their children vaccinated as they had themselves promised to do.

Moreover, another approach in promoting the said campaign was tapping potential multisector influencers. We reached out to various leaders in the religious sector, business sector, and medical sector, like Dr. Juvy Payomo, a private practitioner pediatrician. Through them, they helped convince people in our Municipality about the importance of having a vaccination for preventable diseases.

We also did some role-playing activity and quick overview or orientation about the upcoming MR-OPV SIA campaign.  

To top it off, an orientation program for all barangay captains and BHW presidents was also held on October 12, 2020 at the Balon Bayambang Events Center, and this information was simultaneously broadcast via Facebook Live on Balon Bayambang FB Page and eventually published in the Balon Bayambang newsletter October edition. Summoning them all guaranteed 100% reach among our 77 barangays, active participation, open channel of communication and proper coordination for optimal community mobilization of the said immunization campaign. 

II. HEALTH WORKFORCE

The healthcare profession is consistently ranked as one of the most trusted professions, thus the role of healthcare professionals in educating parents and caregivers about vaccines is very crucial. By sharing both reputable information and personal stories, we can help build or restore confidence in vaccines.

As Mother Teresa once said, “I can do things you cannot; you can do things I cannot. Together we can do great things!”

There is no profession big or small for us to consider when it comes to the delivery of quality health service in our team. A good example is our Barangay Health Workers (BHWs).  They make sure they are able to visit all households under their jurisdiction. They go around and talk to parents one by one to explain the importance of vaccines. By reinforcing our Barangay Health Midwives’ (BHMs) teachings about the great benefits of having a fully immunized child, the BHWs’ active role in the project resulted in minimizing, if not eradicating, defaulters. All of these people working in solidarity resulted in a great motivating force and served as a constant reminder that teamwork and hard work will surely lead to zero new measles cases in Bayambang since 2015!

III. SERVICE DELIVERY

At the time when the news about Dengvaxia blew up in 2017, the confidence of Filipinos in vaccines in general was weakened by a great deal. Nurses, midwives and BHW’s and support of the whole LGU definitely played a key role in advocating for, communicating with, and educating patients and caregivers about the benefits of vaccination and the safety of vaccines. They were able to achieve this by focusing on public health awareness and dispelling myths and fake news. It certainly was not easy – in fact, it was an uphill battle facing in the flesh those who were understandably wary and making them understand that vaccines are safe, and serious side effects are rare. In the end, being in the ‘battleground’ of ideas was all worth it as we regained the parents’ trust and explained to them the concept of the risk-benefit ratio so that they could make good decisions when it came to vaccination.

Cold chain was maintained and proper handling of vaccines was observed. In this way, the potency of the vaccines were not compromised before, during and after vaccination.

Healthcare providers were also constantly checked when it came to their physical and mental preparedness before they were sent off to the ‘battlefield.’ We did not treat each other merely as coworkers but instead we treated each other as confidants, as family. Being accountable to each other’s welfare and well-being in order to effectively serve others, we constantly updated each other in our messenger group chat, shared inspirational and motivational messages. We took to heart our belief that “The healthier and happier you are, the better you perform,” and “To find joy is to serve others even beyond the call of duty.”

We made sure children’s immunization records were up to date on their ECCD card or immunization card. We strategized a scheme of “1 man, 1 team” as much as possible to maximize our personnel, or if necessary, also by maximizing the number of nurses, midwives and BHWs to be dispatched into their strategic designated area for vaccination. This aggressive approach ensured that every child counted and no one was left unimmunized, even if on the last minute or last day of the MR-OPV SIA campaign while intensive RCM or RCA was being conducted.

With its overall eligible population for MR being 11,042, Bayambang was able to smoothly reach 53.85%, and with overall eligible population for OPV being 12,912, we hit 53.34% -- all within just 4 days! On Day 11, we were at 98.6% for MR and 96.75% for OPV. In the culmination of the SIA, Bayambang was able to accomplish vaccination for 11,633 or 105.35% for MR, and for 13,343 or 103.34% for OPV, exceeding our target of at least 95% because of the influx of children who were LSIs or locally stranded individuals living outside Bayambang at the onslaught of the pandemic who were admitted back to the community. As we often say, “numbers won’t lie,” a solid evidence that the people embraced the campaign wholeheartedly, even with some members expressing a wait-and-see attitude. 

We would not be able to achieve this in a timely manner without the gracious effort and full support of our benevolent Municipal Mayor, Vice-Mayor, Sangguniang Bayan members, and LGU department and unit heads, and even heads of national agencies, along with our Punong Barangays and barangay elected officials. 

It is notable that, on the first day of vaccination, our MHO devised a very effective gimmick: to request no less than the Vice-Mayor, Municipal Councilors, Chief of Police, Municipal Local Government Operations Officer, and LGU department heads to do the ceremonial oral vaccination right after the traditional Monday flag-raising ceremony. This sent a clear message to one and all that despite the Dengvaxia controversy, vaccination is safe for the children. The little gesture complimented the healthcare workers’ own efforts at information and education, as it served as a form of support coming from the non-medical field. Although they are not health experts or authorities, this expression of support among local elected officials/politicians and officials in non-elective positions meant so much because obviously, they are the leaders of the town so their words and gestures carry a considerable stamp of approval.

IV. INFECTION AND PREVENTION CONTROL

No one should catch an infection while receiving healthcare. Infection prevention and control is a practical, evidence-based approach which prevents patients and health workers from being harmed while ensuring quality healthcare. Needless to say, we practiced WHO recommendations on hand hygiene and having a clean and hygienic environment. Moreover, being a strong advocate for DOH’s BidaSolusyon sa COVID-19 campaign, it was a must for us that, before our healthcare providers were dispatched for vaccination, we always observed the minimum health standards. We made sure that protocols were strictly adhered to, such as being certain that body temperatures were checked prior to working, and so on. Extra packs of face masks and face shields were brought along, to be given to those who might not have one. Handwashing areas were also provided aside from alcohol sprays, while observing ‘first in, first out process’ in fixed post-vaccination areas to lessen exposure, while conducting quick assessment, recording and health teachings. Once vaccination was done, proper disposal of paraphernalia was ensured, i.e., by disposing of them in a centralized concrete tank that was sealed afterwards.

Strict compliance and discipline were the two key elements that we always made certain of during and after work.

V. SOCIAL MOBILIZATION ACTIVITIES

Leading the community into action would be a herculean task for anyone, as it brings together different individuals with disparate interests and different capabilities and engages them through a common goal or simply getting them involved in a certain issue wherein suggestions or ideas are generated to solve a problem. With this in mind, regular scheduled briefings were held along with nurses, BHMs, BHWs and Punong Barangays and elected officials.

Aside from the aforementioned, a full-blown orientation was conducted for all 77 barangay captains and BHW presidents, so we could assess their level of preparedness for the SIA campaign at the barangay level.

When it comes to print media and other forms of media, we have an equally dedicated Public Information/Media Affairs Office that took are of the task through their monthly newsletter publication and an active Balon Bayambang Facebook page (which has almost 70,000 followers and ‘likers’) where we could keep our constituents updated on our weekly accomplishment reports including COVID-19 updates. Our PIO/Media Affairs Office was really of great help in confirming facts from fake news, hence eliminating doubts, misbeliefs or even widespread panic. Every Wednesdays and Fridays, they also have “BayambangueNEWS,” a live broadcast via FB which serves as an avenue and platform for Bayambang folks to have their voices heard live, at least online, while guest speakers such as our Municipal Health Officer provided answers and announced helpful information. The ‘teleradyo’ show (or vlog) is hosted by our dynamic Supervising Tourism Officer and head of the Bayambang Poverty Reduction Action Team, Rafael L. Saygo.

All of the foregoing are anchored on the current administration’s battlecry, “Rebolusyon Laban sa Kahirapan,” which is predicated on, among other things, the conviction that “health is wealth,” and every economic gain would be meaningless if the townsfolk are sick and their children will grow up with disease and end up as unproductive members of the community.

In the end, all members of our community has been conscripted as members of one willing army fighting together in the battle against harmful (because downright wrong) ideas about vaccines and in the even bigger battle against the vicious cycle of illness and poverty in our town.